As our pastor was preaching from 1 John this afternoon in his continuing series on this epistle, I couldn't help but think that this was a book for people whose minds function like mine--people who like written instructions, checklists, and--above all--order. And I also thought about my first really close look at this book when I was a college student and I was struggling with assurance of salvation; Jon, then my fiance, pointed me to this book, which gives us proof after proof to test ourselves and then be reassured (or not) about our salvation. This book establishes once and for all that our status in Christ is not dependent on ourselves or our feelings, and that's a huge comfort for a recovering Baptist. I loved this book then, and I love it now.
In his introduction, our pastor pointed out that this passage is a description of those who are keeping commandments--nowhere here are we commanded to keep the commandments. We are then given four proofs for checking ourselves to know whether we truly know God.
John is very straightforward in v. 3: "And by this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments." This is not a knowing about God, like someone we have read about in a book. We may have information about and knowledge of someone we have read about, but we don't really know that person. John is talking about knowing the true God. The second thing to note in this verse is that we don't come to know God by being obedient. This is not a conditional situation. In fact, this is an objective standard--His commandments. No one who truly knows God would think that it doesn't matter what he or she does. Keeping God's commandments is the result, the response, to the grace of God, who saves us and is known by us.
The second proof, in v. 4, is if we know God, we speak the truth. This is not a matter of recalling facts. If we know Him, the truth is now in us; it is a part of us. In Jeremiah 31:33, God says that He will write His law on our hearts. This heart knowing is the truth that we live and speak. Again, if we truly know God, we will live His way. Today there are many who reason differently; for example, there are some who would argue this way: "I know a man who really loves God, and he is a homosexual, but he really loves God, so it must be okay to be a homosexual." There is no disconnect between knowing God and living in truth and obedience. God's truth changes us; we don't change His law.
A third proof is perfected love (v. 5), and this is a recurring theme in 1 John. Love from God is made complete in us--it is accomplished. It is impossible for us not to keep His word when His love is perfected in us. Our heart of disobedience has been cast out. Because God loves us, we desire to be obedient. Our obedience does not make God love us. This understanding is the opposite of works righteousness.
The fourth proof is union with God in verse 6. "The one who abides in [Christ] ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked." Out of this abiding in Christ is our abiding in God the Father. Colossians 3:1 tells us we have union with Christ and the Father, and fruit will accompany that union. We are branches in the vine (Christ), so we must bear fruit. God gives us this blessed life because of our salvation, and yet we are not perfect in our obedience, but we live differently. So how do we understand that at times we sin and still rest assured that we keep His commandments and know Him? A series of "D" words helps us understand this:
1. We know there is a divide--that there is a difference between obedience and disobedience.
2. We experience deep dissatisfaction when we disobey--we are distressed by our sin.
3. We delight in obedience.
4. With great diligence, we seek to be ever more faithful in obedience--to God's glory.
5. Development--we continue to grow in discipleship, in our walk (another prominent theme in this book).
This is how we can have the comfort of knowing that have come to know Him if we keep His commandments.
6 comments:
The 5 writings of John have long been some of my favorites also, Annette. Keeping the commandments is also how we show our thankfulness to God for what was done for us. And these commandments are read each Lord's Day morning to show us what we look like, to show us that we are as filthy rags, and need the grace of God. And, as you have said, it is the response to the grace of God. The Canons of Dort (First Head, Article 13) speak of the fruits of God's electing love. We had a sermon on that in september, and I was reading it again the other day. He used I John 3:1-10 as his Scriptural reference to Canons I, 13.
On a different note----we did somethign very somber, and something many (if not all) of us never have witnessed before. My minister had to read the form for excommunication this morning. We were made aware of this 1 month ago, and if nobody appeared before the elders meeting of March 20, then this person would be excommunicated March 25 (today). And even this is done in love. It even states that in the form.
I love 1 John, also. Thanks for writing about it.
BTW, Annette---what time is the 2nd service by you? And has Rev David Klompenhower ever preached where you are? I personally know him, and is a fine minister.
He's at the URC in Walker, and attended where I am when he went to MARS.
Our second service is at 5:00, and I don't know Rev. K. He's fairly new, isn't he? Walker is about a half an hour from where I live.
Yes. David was ordained in 2004.
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